Mystic Aquarium releases rescued seal pup on RI beach

Carson, a young female harbor seal pup rehabilitated by staff from the stranding program at Mystic Aquarium, looks back at the beach as she swims in the waters off Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, R.I., Friday. Carson was rescued at approximately one week of age in Biddeford, Maine, by the rescue organization Marine Mammals of Maine on June 10 and began rehabilitation at University of New England in Biddeford before being transferred to Mystic June 12. During her rehab Carson was treated for medical ailments and weaned from formula to eating fish.Sean D. Elliot/The Day

Published January 24. 2014 12:00PM

Updated January 25. 2014 12:18AM

Charlestown, R.I. (AP) — A harbor seal pup rescued in Maine last summer was released Friday morning back into the ocean at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, R.I.

Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut says Carson is estimated to be around 7 to 8 months old. She was rescued in Kennebunkport on June 10 and brought to Mystic Aquarium two days later. Rescuers believe she was just a few days old.

The aquarium says she has fully recovered and adjusted from a formula to a fish diet, and now she is ready to live in the wild.

"Carson", a 7-month old female Harbor seal pup, looks out from her transport crate before being released by staff from the stranding program at Mystic Aquarium on Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, Rhode Island Friday, January 24, 2014. "Carson" was rescued at approximately 1-week of age in Biddeford, Maine by the rescue organization Marine Mammals of Maine on June 10th and began rehabilitation at University of New England in Biddeford before being transferred to Mystic June 12th. During her rehab "Carson" was treated for medical ailments and weaned from formula to eating fish.Sean D. Elliot/The Day

Spectators watch as "Carson", a 7-month old female Harbor seal pup rehabilitated by staff from the stranding program at Mystic Aquarium, heads to the water on Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, Rhode Island Friday, January 24, 2014. "Carson" was rescued at approximately 1-week of age in Biddeford, Maine by the rescue organization Marine Mammals of Maine on June 10th and began rehabilitation at University of New England in Biddeford before being transferred to Mystic June 12th. During her rehab "Carson" was treated for medical ailments and weaned from formula to eating fish.Sean D. Elliot/The Day